Radiator-shutter



R. M. LOVEJQY RADIATOR SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed Nev. 12. 1920 2Sheets-Sheet 1 March 19- 192 7.,

lnveni'or. Ralph M. Love oy sl dg w' Atty;

' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y o M WW nL w. M h m? a "R I March B1927,

R. M. LOVEJOY RADIATOR- SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12. 1920 I. all 0"Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UETE- RALPH M. IOVEJOY, OF MEREDITH, NEVJ HAMPSHIRE.

RADIATOR-SHUTTER MECHANISM.

Application filed November 12, 1920. Serial no. 423,729.

This invention relates to shutters which comprise a series of louversadapted to be opened and closed, and one of the objects of the inventionis to provide means for operating said louvers by reason of whichcertain of said louvers may be actuated independently of, or in advanceof, the acutation of others.

More specifically the invention relates to improvements in radiatorshutters for engines and particularly those which are used for coolingthe water which circulates about the engines of automobiles, aeroplanes,and other vehicles.

It is a well recognized fact that an internal combustion automobileengine operates at its greatest efficiency when the water in theradiator is maintained at a temperature slightly below the boilingpoint.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a shutter forregulating the circulation of air through the cells of the radiatorwhich may be so controlled, either manually or thermostatically, as tomaintain the water in the radiator at the most efficient temperature.

\Vhere automobiles and like vehicles are operated in freezing weather,the water at the lower portion of the radiator, which cir- 30 culatesless freely than that at the upper portion thereof, often becomes frozenso that only aportion of the radiator is effected. Furthermore, suchfreezing of the water frequently bursts the walls of the radiator.Another object of the invention is to provide a radiator shutterconstruction in which the louvers may be so controlled that a sufficientnumber of the louvers may be closed to cover the lower portion of theradiator, while the louvers, which overlie the upper portion of theradiator, may be open. By such construction the lower portion of theradiator will be protected to enable a sufficient circulation of thewater within the radiator to prevent freezing at the lower part thereofand also will permit a suflicient cooling of the water in the upperportion of the radiator to prevent boiling and consequent loss of waterby vaporization.

In previous radiator constructions in which all of the louvers have beenrigidly connected to an actuating rod it has frequently happened thatthe lower louvers, which are subject to the splashing of water and mudfrom the street, become frozen in place-and cannot be readily released,so that the automobile has to be driven long distances with the shutterentirely closed.

By the present invention means are provided which will enable thelouvers at the upper portion of the radiator to be opened,notwithstanding the fact that the lower portions of the radiator areclosed and the heat from the radiator, by thawing the accumulated iceupon the lower louvers, will finally release them so that they willautomatically open when the radiator becomes sufliciently heated andwill require the additional current of air which may be admitted by theopening of these lower louvers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel radiator shutterconstruction in which certain of the louvers may be operatedindependently of others.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear fromthe following description and the annexed draw ings and will be pointedout in the accompanying claims.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is lllust-rated as applied to theradiator shut ter of an automobile engine, but it will be understoodthat the invention in whole or in part is more comprehensive in scopeand that the broad principles disclosed herein may be applied to variousother devices and may be utilized in other relations within the meaningand scope of the claims herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a radiatorconstruction showing a series of louvers yieldably connected to anactuatmg means;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the louvers in elevation, arrangedin groups which are connected by suitable actuator bars to an equalizeradapted to operate the louvers of the upper group in advance of thelower group;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, similar to Fig.

l, of a radiator construction showing a different mechanism foractuating one group of louvers independently of the other; Fig. at is adetail front elevation showing a preferred form of yieldable transmitterfor actuating one of the louvers from-the louver actuating bar;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail side view of the same;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a radiator construction illustrating aseries of louvers yieldably connected to an actuating rod or rods which"are under the control of the thermostatic device which is subject tothe temperature of the contents of the radiator;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation showing. diagrammatically the constructionof a thermostatically controlled radiatorsimilar tothat shown in Fig. 6,illustrating the louvers arranged in groups, connected respectivelytothe arms of an equalizer and showing means whereby the upper group oflouvers will be opened in advance of the lower group:

In shutterconstructions for radiators and otherdevicesthe shutterusually comprised a series of parallel louvers pivotally mounted attheir ends, and slightly overlapping at their edges, which wereconnected to a single actuating rod which was 0 erated manually orotherwise to open and c ose the louvers. If for anyreason any ofthe-louvers becamestuck, or was otherwise rendered inoperative, theentire system of louvers was put out of commission.

One-of the essential features of the present invention consistsinproviding yieldable louver actuating means applied either to eachindividual louver, or to groupsof louvers, which will permit theactuation of some ofthe louvers, notwithstandingthe inoperati'venessof'others.

In the constructionillustrated in Fig. 1, a radiator 1 isdiagrammaticall illustrated, to'which'is attached the usual s iutterframe Zhaving a series of louvers 3 which are pivotally' mounted 'upon'pintles or studs 4 in suitable bearings in the end of'the shutter frame2. As illustrated in this figure, and in Figs. 4 and 5', each ofthelouvers is provided with a bracket, prefcrablylocated. adjacent the axisof the pivot 45, and presenting ears 5, 6 which receive a stud 7 formingapivot for a transmitter 8 which is also pivota'lly connected to anactuator rod 9 by a pintle 10;

A prei'ferred form of transmitter which is illustrated herein comprisesa pair'of substantially triangularshaped members. The pintles and 10extend through suitable hearings located adjacent'the ends of the lowersides of" these triangular shaped members' and pivotally connect saidmembers with the ears5 of the louvers and the actuatior bar9. Forconvenience in construction these transmitters maybe made integral byproviding a connecting web 11 extending across and joining, the upperedges of said members. 'lhe upper'portions'of'these triangular membersdesirably are provided with extensions 12 which are adapted to engagethe rear faces of the respective louvers and act, when the actuator bar9 is raised, to move the ]ouvers positively to closed position.

Yieldable means are provided for moving thelouvers intheother direction,or toward ward movement of the louver actuating. bar

9 will cause the extensions 12' of the trans-- initters which areconnected to said actuator bar to engage the rear sides of theirrespective louvers and positively move them to ward closed position,while the downward movement of the actuator rod 9 will act, through-thesprings-13, to rotatethe louvers in a reverse direction toward openposition. If, therefore, one or more of the louvers should stick, thedownward movement of the rod 9 would serve to actuate and to open suchof the louvers as were freeto rotate.

VVherea radiator construction of this ty e is applied to an automobile,therefore, t e sticking of the lower louvers of the radiators, by reasonof accumulation of ice, or for any other reason, does not hamper theactuation of the upper louvers of the radiator shutter. Furthermore, byreason of the fact that the lower portion of the radiator remainsenclosed by the sticking of the shutter, heat will rapidly accumulate byreason of the lack of circulation of" air, through the lower cells ofthe radiator until the lower portion of the radiator shutter be comessufficiently warm to melt the ice, whereupon the spring 13, being undertension, will automatically move the louver'to open position.

Any suitable means maybe provided for raising and lowering the actuatorbar. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the upper end' of'the actuator bar 9 ispivotally connected to a hanger 16 which is adjustably connected by abolt 17, having screw threads of op osite pitch upon its ends, to asleeve 18' which is pivotally connected. at its upper end to a stud 19upon the end of one arm of a bell crank lever 20 which is pivotallymounted upon a stud. 21 carried by a bracket 22' securedto the frontface of'the radiator. The other arm of the bell crank lever is connectedby a link 23 to an operating rod or member 24 which, as illustratedherein, extends through asleeve 25 which passes through the upperportion'of' theradiator.

Any suitable means may be provided for operating therod 24. Asillustrated in Fig. 1, the rod extends over the top of the engine andthrough an instrument board 26 and is provided with a handle??? whichmay be grasped by the operator.

Any usual means may be provided for ator or the radiator cover lockingthe rod 24 in adjusted positions, so that the shutters may be held opento any desired extent. Automatic means may also be provided foractuating the rod 24. as will hereinafter more fully appear.

While the louvers may all be connected to a single actuator bar in usualradiator shutter construct-ions, it is desirable in some instances todivide the louvers into two groups connected respectively with separateactuator bars which are so arranged that the upper set of louvers may beopened in advance of the lower set, such construction being particularlyadapted for use in very cold weather in which it is necessary to havethe lower portion of the radiator, in which the fluid-circulates moreslowly, protected from blasts of very cold air. Under such circumstancesthe louvers may be connected to the actuator bars by a yieldingtransmitter as abovedescribed, or in a simplified construction the earsupon the louvers may be directly connected to the actuator bars.

A preferred construction of this character is illustrated in Fig. 2, inwhich the louvers 3 are divided into two groups, an upper group 28 ofthree or more louvers, and a lower group 29 comprising the remainder ofthe louvers. The louvers of the upper group 28 are connected by ears 30to an actuator rod 31 which is pivotally connected at its upper end toone end of a lever or equalizer bar 32, the other end of which ispivotally connected to the upper end of an actuator bar 33 which isconnected to cars 34 upon the louvers of the lower group 29. Theequalizer bar 32 is pivotally connected, preferably at its middle, to ayoke 35 which is connected by an adjustable bolt 36, having at its endsscrew threads of opposite pitch, to the lower end of a sleeve 37 whichis pivotally connected at its upper end to the end of one arm of a bellcrank similar to the bell crank arm 20 illustrated in Fig. 1. Anysuitable means, such as the rod 24, above described, may be provided foractuatrng the bell crank lever to raise and lower the equalizer bar 32.In order to cause one end of the equalizer bar to open the upper groupof luovers in advance of the lower group resilient means such as ahelical spring 38 is connected to the end of the equalizer bar 32 towhich the actuator rod 33 is pivoted. The spring 38 isconnected at itsopposite end to a suitable stationary stud 39 which may be mounted uponthe radiator or upon the radiator cover. The opposite end of theequalizer 32 desirably is provided with an extension 40 which overlies astud 41 upon the end of the radiand which is adapted to limit thedownward movement of that end of the equalizer.

WVhen in the operation of the device the operating rod 24 is pushedinwardly, (to the left), by the operator, the bell crank lever 20 isrocked about its pivot 21 thereby depressing the equalizer leverInasmuch as one end of said lever is held by the spring 38, the oppositeend of the lever, which is connected to the actuator rod 31 is firstdepressed and thereby swings the louvers of the group 28 to an openposition, thus permitting air to enter the upper portion of theradiator. After the operating rod 24 has been depressed sufliciently tocause the crtension 40 of the equalizer lever to engage the stud 41,further pressure upon said operating lever depresses the opposite end ofthe equalizer lever against the tension of J the spring 38, therebyforcing the actuator bar 33 downwardly, thus rocking the louvers of thegroup 29 toward open position. The operation, therefore, of thisembodiment of the invention is similar to that above described in thatthe louvers, which cover the upper portion of the radiator may beoperated independently of those of the group which covers the lowerportion of the radi ator, so that if the latter should stick, by reasonof accumulated ice, or for any other reason, the lower portion of theradiator will remain covered until the heat radiated thereby issuflicient to melt the ice, whereupon the louvers of the group 29 may beswung toward open position.

As above stated, each of the louvers of each group may if desired beconnected to the actuator rods 31 and 33 by yieldable transmitters suchas those previouslydescribed, so that each of the louvers will becapable of being opened independently of any other louver which maystick or otherwise be prevented from operation.

In Fig. 3 a modified construction is illustrated in which an upper groupof louvers may be actuated notwithstanding the inoperativeness of thelouvers of the lower group. In this construction the actuator bar 9 isformed in two sections, the upper section being connected preferablythrough. yieldable connections, such as above described, to the louversof an upper group, while the lower section of said actuator bar issimilarly connected to the louvers of the lower group. The upper sectionof the actuator bar may be connected by means, such as above described,to one arm of the bell crank lever 20, the other arm of which isconnected to an operating rod 24 as above described.

The sections of the actuator bar 9 are connected by a yieldable devicewhich will enable the upper section to be moved independently of thelower section when the louvers of the lower group are held in closedposition.

In the preferred mechanism which is illustrated herein the upper sectionof the actuator bar 9 is pivotally connected to a cylindrical casing 42in which a piston 43 is sli'da'bly'mounted, the piston rodbeingpivotally' connected to the lower actuator bar section 9. A helicalspring 44in said cylin der, abutting atits upper end against the' head.of the cylinder and at its lower end upon the end of the piston 43,.serves normally to connect the sections of the actuator bar. togetherinisuch a manner that theupper and lower sections of the actuator barmove together and operate the louvers in the same manner as would anintegral. actuator rod. If, however, the louvers-of the lower group areheld in closed position by sticking or otherwise, the spring 44 willyield sufiiciently to permit the louvers of the upper group to beopened. As this spring remains under pressure while the upper louversare in open position, the louvers of the lower section will be movedfrom closed to open position as soon as the means, which prevents theirmovement, is removed.

In F ig; 6 a construction is illustrated in which the actuation of thelouvers is con trolled automatically by thermostatic means. In thisconstruction the louvers 3 are pivotally mounted upon studs 4 and areprovided with. ears 5 which are connected by yildable transmitters 8, ofthe character above described, to the actuator bar 9. The upper end ofthe actuator bar is pivotally connected by a link to one arm of a bellcrank lever, the other arm of which is connected to 'av plunger 45 of athermostatic regulator.

As illustrated herein the thermostatic regulator comprises an outercylindrical casing 46 and an inner bellows-like casing 47 having a head48 which isengaged by the end of the plunger 45. The space 49, betweenthe outer cylindrical casing 46 and the inner casing. 47, is-filled witha volatile expansible fluid, such as ether or alcohol. The thermostaticmember is secured in the upper portion of the radiator and is subject tothe varying temperatures of the circulating fluid. within the radiatorwhich serves to cool the engine. When, therefore, the heat of saidcirculating fluid increases, the volatile fluid within. the thermostaticregulator is-expanded thereby and causes the bellows- .like walls tocollapse. This forces the plunger 45 outwardly, thus rocking. the bellcrank lever about its pivot and thereby depressing the actuator rod insuch a manner as to swing the louvers toward open position. AS thelouvers are thus opened the current of air is permitted to pass throughthe radiator, cooling" the contents thereof. As the contents of theradiator become cooler, the volatile fluid in the thermostaticcontroller contracts, thus permitting the plunger 45 to be forcedinwardly, thereby rocking. the bell crank in the opposite direc tion,thus raising the actuator bar 9 and rocking the louvers toward closedposition.

Inithisconstrnction, flierefbm, the amount to which thelouversiareopened will be correlated: to the temperature of the heatingfluid, so that the. temperature of the-heating fluid may be maintainedata constant pradeterminedtemperature.

In this construction, as in theot'hersprey viously described, theactuation: of each louver is independent of. that of the others, so thatif any one or more of them should stick the others willv still remainoperative under theinfl uenceot the thermostatic rogu lator.

In Fig 7 amodifiedr construction i'ssillustrated in which a" thermostat50 ofv any suitable character, preferably such as is illustrated in Fig.6, is connected through a bell crank; lever 51,. of the character abovedescribed, to the central portion of an equalizer 52, one-endof whichisoonnectedtto an actuator bar-'53 which is pivotally connected eitherdirectly or through a yieldable conmotion to the ears 54: of an uppergroup55 of louvers. The opposite end of the equalizer leveri52isconnected to an actuator bar 56 which is connected directly or througha yieldable transmitter to the ears 57 of louvers of the lower group 58.A helical spring 59, similar. tothe spring}:v 38 of the constructionillustrated in Fig. 2, serves to withhold themovement of the actuatorbar 56=untili the-aotuatorbar 53 has been actuatcd sufficiently to openthe upper group of louvers-, when the extension 60 of. said equaL izerlever engages a stud 61* upon the radiiator or radiator cover. lmsuohconstruction, therefore, t'he'upper group of louvers will first beopened by thethermostat-ic regulator and after it: has-been opened.fully, and: the movement of. this end of theequalizer lever arrested bythe stud 61, further actuation of the thermostatic regulator will. causetheop' posite end of the equalizer to be depressed thereby swinging thelouvers of the lower group toward open position.

Thus it willbeunderstood that my invention contemplatesthe controllingof the operation ofthe louvers not only manually, but thermostatically,and also'includes the actuation ofv the louvers through a yieldabletransmitter by means ofwhich each louver may be actuated independentlyof the other, and also includes-the actuation. of groups of louverswhether connected directly to an actuator bar or to ayieldingtransmitter.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the invention disclosedherein is of an illustrative character and isnot restrictive; thatvarious modifications in construction and arrangementv of parts may bemade within the spirit and scope of the following claims which areintended to-cover broadly any shutter mechanism for radiators of engineshavingrtwo or morev louversswhiehma be designated as'a series ofloiwers,.in-whic of the other.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is:

1. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, forthe, radiator, comprising a series of louvers, means operable normallyto actuate said louvers simultaneously including yieldable means forpermit-ting the actuation of certain of said louvers independently ofthe others.

2. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator, comprising a series of louvers, means for actuating the same,and means yieldably connecting certain of said louvers to said actuatingmeans whereby the sticking of one or more of the latter will not preventthe actuation of others.

3. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator, comprising a series of louvers, actuating means thereforincluding an actuator bar, means yieldably connecting said louvers tosaid actuator bar whereby the sticking of one or more of said louverswill not prevent the actuation of others.

4. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator, comprising a series of louvers, an actuator bar, a series oftransmitters pivotally connected to said actuator bar and to therespective louvers, having means for positively moving said louvers inone direction and yieldable means for moving said louvers in theopposite direction.

5. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator. comprising a series of pivotally mounted louvers, an actuatorbar, a series of transmitters pivotally mounted upon said actuator barand pivotally connected respectively to the louvers of said series,having louver engaging means acting positively to close the louvers whensaid actuator bar moved in One direction and resilient means operablewhen said actuator bar is moved in the opposite direction to open saidlouvers.

6. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator, comprising a series of pivotally mounted louvers havinglaterally extending ears, an actuator bar, a series of transmitterspivotally connected to said actuator bar and to said ears havingextensions adapted to engage and close said louvers when said actuatoris moved in one direction and resilient means connecting saidtransmitters and said louvers operable when said actuator bar is movedin the opposite direction to open said louvers.

7. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator, comprising a series of pivotally mounted louvers havinglaterally extending ears, an actuator bar, a series of transmitterscomprising pairs of triangular shaped members, the members of each pairbeing connected along one side by a web, and pivotally connectedadjacent to two angles thereof respectively to the actuator bar and theears of said louvers, the remaining angle portion of said triangularmembers being adapted to engage and close said louvers when the actuatorbar is moved in one direction. and a spring connected to saidtransmitters and said ears operable when the actuator bar is moved inthe opposite direction to open said louvers.

8. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator, comprising a plurality of groups of louvers, actuating means,and yieldable means connecting said groups and operable'by saidactuating means to permit one of said groups of louvers to be openedbefore the other group of louvers is actuated.

9. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, for theradiator, comprising a plurality of groups of louvers, ac tuating meanstherefor including an equalizer pivotally mounted intermediate of itsends, means connecting the respective ends of the same to the respectivegroups of louvers including resilient means operable to cause one groupof said louvers to be actuated in advance of the actuation of the othergroup of louvers.

10. In a cooling system for engines having a radiator, a shutter, forthe radiator, comprising a plurality of groups of louvers, actuatingmeans including an equalizer pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends,actuator bars connected to opposite ends of said equalizer and to therespective groups of louvers, and resilient means connected to one endof said equalizer operable to restrain the movement of the actuator barwhich is connected to that end of the equalizer until said equalizer hasbeen operated to open fully the louvers of the other group.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

RALPH M. LOVEJOY.

